Jairus Byrd

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The Buffalo Bills plan to meet with Jairus Byrd during the NFL combine to kick off contract talks, according to the Associated Press (via SI.com).

The AP's source said "there have previously been no formal negotiations between the Bills and Byrd" and that "there has so far been no discussion as to whether the Bills intend to place a franchise tag on Byrd."

Offensive guard Andy Levitre is another main free-agent priority for the Bills this offseason. However, because his franchise tag figure is higher, he could be a more likely candidate to sign a long-term deal.

Wes Welker

The Patriots are simply not going to put an $11.4 million franchise tag on Welker, someone with intimate knowledge of the team’s thinking said. Nor is he going to get an offer better than the one he turned down in 2011.

Joe Flacco

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According to CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, Flacco's camp and the Ravens' organizational decision-makers will meet at the combine in Indianapolis.

La Canfora wrote the following about the negotiation: "Expect there to be regular dialogue between the Ravens (read: cap guru/chief negotiator Pat Moriarty) and Flacco's agent, Joe Linta, from this weekend until the March 4 deadline to apply the franchise tag."

Henry Melton

Barring a multi-year contract for Melton, it seems like a good bet general manager Phil Emery will elect to use the franchise tag for the second consecutive year after applying it to running back Matt Forte in 2012.

There have been no reports of Melton and the Bears having contract talks, but it seems as though Melton will be back in Chicago in 2013.

Dashon Goldson

Goldson is considered the leading candidate to be designated as the 49ers' franchise player for a second year in a row. But it's no certainty the 49ers will restrict his free-agent status again this season.

Goldson would be owed 120 percent of his 2012 salary if he was hit with the tag for a second straight year.

Jared Cook

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According to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean, "Tight end Jared Cook is the most likely player to be tagged, since the Titans don’t want to lose him, and reaching a long-term deal with him any time soon isn’t expected."

If Tennessee hits Cook with the tag, they'll pay him close to $6 million in 2013.